Searchers find body of University of Alabama student missing in river

Rescue teams prepare to enter the Locust Fork branch of the Warrior River in Blount County in search of Alyssa Huffstutler a 19-year-old University of Alabama student from Blountsville who went missing after she got separated from her inner tube on a rough stretch of water Wednesday. Searchers found Huffstutler's body about a mile downstream from where she was last seen on Friday morning.

The Associated Press

The Associated Press

Published: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11:49 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, June 21, 2013 at 11:49 a.m.

LOCUST FORK | Searchers have found the body of a University of Alabama student who went missing during a river rafting trip in Blount County.

The University of Alabama released a statement offering condolences Friday afternoon.

"The University of Alabama family extends its thoughts and prayers to Allysa's family and friends during this sad and difficult time. She was a valued member of the campus community, and we will miss her," said Mark Nelson, UA vice president for student affairs.

AL.com reported that a state trooper helicopter spotted her body in the water. It was about a mile downstream from where she was last seen.

The young woman had been missing since Wednesday afternoon, when she was with friends floating down the Locust Fork of the Warrior River.

Huffstutler got separated from her inner tube in a rough section of the river. She wasn't seen again, despite being a life guard and scuba diver.

<p>LOCUST FORK | Searchers have found the body of a University of Alabama student who went missing during a river rafting trip in Blount County. </p><p>Blount County's emergency management director, Max Armstrong, says searchers located the body of 19-year-old Allysa Huffstutler in the water Friday morning. </p><p>The University of Alabama released a statement offering condolences Friday afternoon. </p><p>"The University of Alabama family extends its thoughts and prayers to Allysa's family and friends during this sad and difficult time. She was a valued member of the campus community, and we will miss her," said Mark Nelson, UA vice president for student affairs.</p><p>AL.com reported that a state trooper helicopter spotted her body in the water. It was about a mile downstream from where she was last seen. </p><p>The young woman had been missing since Wednesday afternoon, when she was with friends floating down the Locust Fork of the Warrior River. </p><p>Huffstutler got separated from her inner tube in a rough section of the river. She wasn't seen again, despite being a life guard and scuba diver. </p><p>Authorities say muddy water and swift currents hampered the search.</p>